P.K. Subban: This is an 'unbelievable moment for USA hockey' (2:07) Ryan S. Clark Feb 24, 2026, 10:44 PM ET Close Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. Connor Hellebuyck , the goaltender for the gold-medal-winning U.S. men's Olympic hockey team, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Donald Trump announced during Tuesday night's State of the Union. Athletes such as Simone Biles, Joe DiMaggio, Michael Jordan, Megan Rapinoe and Babe Ruth are among the 671 individuals who have received the award, the nation's highest civilian honor. It is believed that Hellebuyck, who plays for the NHL's Winnipeg Jets , will be the first hockey player. "Great athletes have gotten that, very great, the best," Trump said during the State of the Union, with players from the U.S. men's hockey team in attendance . "I thought he deserved it. I did take a vote -- every single one of them. I said, 'I'm not giving it if anybody goes "no,''' and every single one of them rapidly put up their hand.…